Faculty EvaluationFaculty Evaluationatat

Willamette UniversityWillamette University

Prepared by Ron LoftusPrepared by Ron Loftus

DisclaimerDisclaimer

These slides were created to help frame a These slides were created to help frame a discussion with colleagues.discussion with colleagues.

As such, they are kind of “talking As such, they are kind of “talking points”and do not represent anyone’s points”and do not represent anyone’s viewpoint or interpretation but my own.viewpoint or interpretation but my own.

I did share an earlier version of them with I did share an earlier version of them with FC colleagues and received some input, FC colleagues and received some input, but I alone am responsible for the content.but I alone am responsible for the content.

What are our Standards or What are our Standards or Criteria?Criteria?

See PPP, Sec. VI. Evaluation Standards See PPP, Sec. VI. Evaluation Standards and Procedures;and Procedures; ““The criteria for retention, promotion, tenure The criteria for retention, promotion, tenure

and step increases shall beand step increases shall be 1) teaching effectiveness1) teaching effectiveness 2) professional development, and2) professional development, and 3) University and community service”3) University and community service”

Key Language from the PPPKey Language from the PPP

““Although faculty members are expected Although faculty members are expected to make contributions in all three areas, to make contributions in all three areas, effective teaching is of paramount effective teaching is of paramount importance; poor teaching cannot be importance; poor teaching cannot be redeemed in the other two areas.”redeemed in the other two areas.”

However, this endorsement of the However, this endorsement of the centrality of effective teaching should not centrality of effective teaching should not be construed as negating the need for a be construed as negating the need for a professional development program.professional development program.

PPP Language on Teaching PPP Language on Teaching

There is a lot of it: under VI., A, 1, a-fThere is a lot of it: under VI., A, 1, a-f We find such language as:We find such language as:

Demonstrates substantial understanding of subject Demonstrates substantial understanding of subject matter s/he teaches and revises courses when matter s/he teaches and revises courses when necessary to reflect current developments in the necessary to reflect current developments in the discipline;discipline;

Is well prepared for classes and presents courses in Is well prepared for classes and presents courses in an organized fashion;an organized fashion;

Seeks to maintain the interest of students and to Seeks to maintain the interest of students and to stimulate their intellectual curiosity and creative stimulate their intellectual curiosity and creative abilities; abilities;

How does FC Evaluate How does FC Evaluate Teaching Effectiveness?Teaching Effectiveness?

Are SETEs/SAIs over emphasized?Are SETEs/SAIs over emphasized? What is considered along with course What is considered along with course

evaluations forms?evaluations forms? Student lettersStudent letters Colleague lettersColleague letters Teaching materials submitted by the faculty Teaching materials submitted by the faculty

membermember Information in the Personal StatementInformation in the Personal Statement

More on TeachingMore on Teaching

Explores new teaching techniques when Explores new teaching techniques when necessary;necessary;

Makes clear to students the objectives and Makes clear to students the objectives and requirements of his/her courses and the requirements of his/her courses and the criteria by which students will be criteria by which students will be evaluated. The effective teacher exhibits evaluated. The effective teacher exhibits fairness and impartiality in evaluating fairness and impartiality in evaluating student achievement.student achievement.

Etc.Etc.

What would constitute What would constitute “Ineffective” Teaching?“Ineffective” Teaching?

What kind of “high number” on the SETE forms What kind of “high number” on the SETE forms do you think should grab (your and) FC’s do you think should grab (your and) FC’s attention?attention?

What other considerations should be factored What other considerations should be factored in?in?

What is the role of student letters?What is the role of student letters? What else should be taken into consideration?What else should be taken into consideration? Don’t overlook the role of the Personal Don’t overlook the role of the Personal

Statement!Statement!

Language about Professional Language about Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

““Engages in such scholarly activities as research Engages in such scholarly activities as research and writing for publication, artistic creativity and and writing for publication, artistic creativity and performance. . .performance. . .

Although the nature of what constitutes Although the nature of what constitutes professional development will vary by discipline, professional development will vary by discipline, it is expected that the faculty member it is expected that the faculty member demonstrates professional development in a demonstrates professional development in a manner accepted by individuals in his/her field of manner accepted by individuals in his/her field of study and subject to the process of peer review.”study and subject to the process of peer review.”

Section VII. C., 1 Promotion to Section VII. C., 1 Promotion to AssociateAssociate

1. “In order to be promoted to Associate 1. “In order to be promoted to Associate Professor, an Assistant Professor must Professor, an Assistant Professor must have demonstrated a sustained and have demonstrated a sustained and consistent record as an effective teacher, consistent record as an effective teacher, engaged in a continuing program of engaged in a continuing program of professional developmentprofessional development, and actively , and actively contributed in the area of of University and contributed in the area of of University and community service.” community service.”

Promotion to ProfessorPromotion to Professor

VII, C. 2 “In order to be promoted to Professor, VII, C. 2 “In order to be promoted to Professor, an Associate must have demonstrated an Associate must have demonstrated consistently effective teaching, consistently effective teaching, significant and significant and continuing accomplishments in professional continuing accomplishments in professional development and University and community development and University and community serviceservice. The person must have additionally . The person must have additionally demonstrated personal and professional traits demonstrated personal and professional traits which are important in performing a leadership which are important in performing a leadership role as an active and effective member of the role as an active and effective member of the CLA.”CLA.”

So, could we conclude from So, could we conclude from this that in regard to this that in regard to

Professional Development:Professional Development: 1. For Tenure and Promotion one needs to 1. For Tenure and Promotion one needs to

demonstrate a professional development demonstrate a professional development program that is consistent with the standards program that is consistent with the standards in one’s field or disciplinein one’s field or discipline

2. And that this should include work that is 2. And that this should include work that is “subject to the process of peer review”?“subject to the process of peer review”?

What we are not specifyingWhat we are not specifying

The number of publicationsThe number of publications Their lengthTheir length Precisely what is “required” for tenure in any Precisely what is “required” for tenure in any

formulaic senseformulaic sense But the implication is clear that some But the implication is clear that some

constellation of activities such asconstellation of activities such as Conference presentations or papersConference presentations or papers Shorter, non-peer reviewed writingShorter, non-peer reviewed writing More substantial, peer-reviewed workMore substantial, peer-reviewed work

Would be appropriateWould be appropriate

The Role of the Personal The Role of the Personal StatementStatement

In the end, it is up to the faculty member to In the end, it is up to the faculty member to explain to the FCexplain to the FC

What their professional development What their professional development program consists ofprogram consists of

Why it is the appropriate mixture or Why it is the appropriate mixture or constellation for them at this time in their constellation for them at this time in their careercareer

How it conforms for the PPP guidelinesHow it conforms for the PPP guidelines

Organizing Your CV Organizing Your CV

Under Publications, many use the category Under Publications, many use the category Peer Peer Reviewed PublicationsReviewed Publications

If a manuscript is submitted, or under review, If a manuscript is submitted, or under review, please so indicate.please so indicate.

If a manuscript is accepted but publication date If a manuscript is accepted but publication date is not certain, say (is not certain, say (Forthcoming) Forthcoming) after your entry.after your entry.

If the book or journal has been copy edited, and If the book or journal has been copy edited, and all final changes have been made, you can say all final changes have been made, you can say ((In PressIn Press).).

How does the “bar” differ for How does the “bar” differ for Promotion to Professor?Promotion to Professor?

Consistently effective teaching recordConsistently effective teaching record Significant and continuing accomplishments Significant and continuing accomplishments

in professional developmentin professional development and University and University service service

v. v.

““engagedengaged in a continuing program of in a continuing program of professional development”professional development”

It follows, then, that when one stands for It follows, then, that when one stands for promotion to Professor, a significant and promotion to Professor, a significant and continuing record of accomplishment needs to continuing record of accomplishment needs to be in evidence.be in evidence.

What is the Role of Service?What is the Role of Service?

Is service is being downplayed?Is service is being downplayed? NOT necessarily so.NOT necessarily so. Service is one of the three criteria by which we Service is one of the three criteria by which we

are judged.are judged. Service is more than committee work; what Service is more than committee work; what

kinds of things might be be included in service? kinds of things might be be included in service? service to one’s profession, service to one’s profession, community servicecommunity service At the same time, some writing or publication may fall At the same time, some writing or publication may fall

into the “service” categoryinto the “service” category

Professional Development v. Professional Development v. ServiceService

Can the argument be made that now Prof. Can the argument be made that now Prof. Devt is more likely to be a “deal breaker” Devt is more likely to be a “deal breaker” than service?than service?

Another way to pose the question: Unlike Another way to pose the question: Unlike twenty-some years ago, when a very twenty-some years ago, when a very strong service record and relatively little strong service record and relatively little PD might have secured promotion, is the PD might have secured promotion, is the opposite now the more likely scenario?opposite now the more likely scenario?

What about Criteria for Step What about Criteria for Step Increases?Increases?

This language added only recently because we This language added only recently because we had none. See VII, Ehad none. See VII, E

““Step advances are not automatic. . .In order to Step advances are not automatic. . .In order to receive a step advance a faculty member must receive a step advance a faculty member must demonstrate demonstrate consistent teaching consistent teaching effectiveness, a continuing program of effectiveness, a continuing program of professional development, and a professional development, and a commitment to University and community commitment to University and community serviceservice as defined in Sec. VI. A.” as defined in Sec. VI. A.”

General PracticesGeneral Practices

For 3-year periodic reviews, if a faculty For 3-year periodic reviews, if a faculty member seems to be struggling in any of member seems to be struggling in any of the three areas, and the area of difficulty is the three areas, and the area of difficulty is not one that FC has previously drawn not one that FC has previously drawn attention to, thenattention to, then

Mention will be made in a letter so that in Mention will be made in a letter so that in the ensuing review, if the problem persists, the ensuing review, if the problem persists, the step advance may not be forthcoming.the step advance may not be forthcoming.

Have our Evaluation Have our Evaluation Standards Changed Standards Changed

Significantly over the Years?Significantly over the Years? Yes. . .and No depending how far back one Yes. . .and No depending how far back one

wishes to go.wishes to go. WU did go through a transition from a primarily WU did go through a transition from a primarily

teaching institution to one where expectations teaching institution to one where expectations for professional development were articulated.for professional development were articulated.

Anyone who joined WU since 1980, however, Anyone who joined WU since 1980, however, has heard a consistent message: a professional has heard a consistent message: a professional development record is required for tenure and development record is required for tenure and promotion.promotion.

Has the “Bar,” then, been Has the “Bar,” then, been Raised?Raised?

In some senses, yes. Language about In some senses, yes. Language about “significant and continuing accomplishments” “significant and continuing accomplishments” and “peer review” now exist in the PPP.and “peer review” now exist in the PPP.

At the same time, more and more junior faculty At the same time, more and more junior faculty members come to WU with such expectations of members come to WU with such expectations of themselves, and they proceed to demonstrate a themselves, and they proceed to demonstrate a strong record of professional development early strong record of professional development early in their careers here. in their careers here.

A Typical Tenure Review File?A Typical Tenure Review File?

Demonstration of a sustained and consistent Demonstration of a sustained and consistent record of effective teachingrecord of effective teaching

Engagement in a continuing program of Engagement in a continuing program of professional developmentprofessional development

Evidence of some peer reviewed workEvidence of some peer reviewed work Some conference papers, posters, or Some conference papers, posters, or

presentationspresentations Concise Personal Statement that addresses Concise Personal Statement that addresses

accomplishments and future directionsaccomplishments and future directions A record of service appropriate to the faculty A record of service appropriate to the faculty

membermember

““What exactly are the What exactly are the Expectations that FC works Expectations that FC works

with?”with?” This is the question I hear the most.This is the question I hear the most. But what does it really mean?But what does it really mean? Do faculty honestly want to hear that we Do faculty honestly want to hear that we

all must have 3 articles, 4 conference all must have 3 articles, 4 conference presentations, 2 or more book reviews in presentations, 2 or more book reviews in our portfolios to receive tenure?our portfolios to receive tenure?

Would some formula like this work for Would some formula like this work for everybody? I don’t think so!everybody? I don’t think so!

As stated previously,As stated previously,

You need to tell FC what it is you do in the You need to tell FC what it is you do in the area of Professional Development area of Professional Development

And WHY that is the appropriate trajectory And WHY that is the appropriate trajectory for you to be on. for you to be on.

If it is a tenure or promotion decision, and If it is a tenure or promotion decision, and outside evaluators will comment on the outside evaluators will comment on the contributions you make to your discipline contributions you make to your discipline and how appropriate your professional and how appropriate your professional development agenda appears to them.development agenda appears to them.

You should be aware thatYou should be aware that

Outside evaluators, sometimes from top-50 Outside evaluators, sometimes from top-50 liberal arts colleges, do inform us that the liberal arts colleges, do inform us that the file they were asked to review might be file they were asked to review might be considered “thin” or even inadequate in the considered “thin” or even inadequate in the realm of professional development at their realm of professional development at their institutions.institutions.

But they usually hasten to add that teaching But they usually hasten to add that teaching requirements appear to be heavier at WU, requirements appear to be heavier at WU, and FC adjusts its expectations accordingly.and FC adjusts its expectations accordingly.

Is our Evaluation Process Fair Is our Evaluation Process Fair and Consistent?and Consistent?

Absolute consistency may be difficult to achieve Absolute consistency may be difficult to achieve simply because each Council, with its elected simply because each Council, with its elected membership, will be differently nuanced.membership, will be differently nuanced.

But each Council works within parameters set by But each Council works within parameters set by previous Councils as outlined in their letters to previous Councils as outlined in their letters to the faculty member.the faculty member.

Since FC often begins its review of a file with a Since FC often begins its review of a file with a careful reading of previous FC letters, a clearly careful reading of previous FC letters, a clearly demarcated “channel” keeps the FC’s discussion demarcated “channel” keeps the FC’s discussion within certain established parameters.within certain established parameters.

How to Read FC LettersHow to Read FC Letters

With some care!With some care! Letters summarize what FC sees in the fileLetters summarize what FC sees in the file Letters provide feedback in terms of student and Letters provide feedback in terms of student and

colleague commentscolleague comments Letters also point to areas of performance that Letters also point to areas of performance that

may need to be addressedmay need to be addressed Letters provide a record for future CouncilsLetters provide a record for future Councils Letters constitute a record of an ongoing Letters constitute a record of an ongoing

conversation between FC and faculty memberconversation between FC and faculty member

A Personal ViewA Personal View

While we may give up something in terms of While we may give up something in terms of disciplinary “expertise” by having a committee disciplinary “expertise” by having a committee made up of elected “generalists,”made up of elected “generalists,”

We compensate for this by requiring external We compensate for this by requiring external evaluators to assist the FC.evaluators to assist the FC.

And we always operate within the parameters And we always operate within the parameters set by previous FC reviews which should militate set by previous FC reviews which should militate against wildly inconsistent decisions.against wildly inconsistent decisions.

FurthermoreFurthermore

By not having a hierarchical structure whereby By not having a hierarchical structure whereby FC and “Administration” views of a case need to FC and “Administration” views of a case need to be reconciled;be reconciled;

We do not experience the inconsistency of a FC We do not experience the inconsistency of a FC decision being reversed by a Dean only to be decision being reversed by a Dean only to be reinstated by a VP or Provost only to be reinstated by a VP or Provost only to be reversed again by the President. reversed again by the President.

Therefore, for all its flaws, our evaluation system Therefore, for all its flaws, our evaluation system is, on the whole, very unique and “faculty is, on the whole, very unique and “faculty friendly.”friendly.”